Citrus research group hires interim COO

News Chief – March 23, 2018

LAKE ALFRED – The Citrus Research and Development Foundation Inc. board of directors has hired John Arthington as the temporary chief operating officer while it conducts a search for a successor to Harold Browning.

Arthington, who is also the director of the University of Florida’s Range Cattle Research and Education Center in Ona, will take the interim post when Browning leaves on March 31 for a job in the private sector. Arthington has worked at UF for 20 years, primarily in beef cattle nutrition.

“I am looking forward to working with the board and making new relationships and keeping the Citrus Research and Development Foundation strong and moving forward,” Arthington told The Ledger on Friday.

The search for a permanent COO is expected to take three to six months, he said, and there is “no possibility” he will be a candidate.